In
the traditional char dham yatra, this is the western most shrine of the
himalayas dedicated to goddess yamuna, it is perched stop a flank of the
bandarpunch peak (3165 mts) and is situated opposite the gangotri.
Yamunotri, or yamuna ‘utri’ is the source of the sacred river
yamuna, which originates from the champasar glacier lying 1 km ahead of the
shrine, at an altitude of 4142 mts. Pilgrims usually do not visit the source
as it is not easily accessible.
The
picturesque pilgrimage in the winterlands of the himalayas is the most
sacred spot where ganga, the stream of life, touched earth for the first
time. According to mythology , goddess ganga the daughter of heaven,
manifested herself in the form of a river to absolve the sins of king
bhagirath’s predecessors, following his severe penance for several
centuries. Lord shiva received her into his matted lock to minimise the
immense impact of her fall. She came to be called bhagirathi at her
legendary source. The physical source of the river is at gaumukh.
Amidst
the dramatic mountainscapes of the majestic kedarnath range stands one of
the twelve ‘Jyotirlingas’ of kedar of lord shiva. Lying at an
altitude of 3584 mts. On the head of river mandakini, the shrine of
kedarnath is amongst the holiest pilgrimages for the hindus. The lingam at
kedarnath is pyramidal, unlike its usual form. A statue of nandi the
celestial bull stands at the entrance of the temple and exquisitely carved
images adorn the interiors of the temple.
Cradled
in the twin mountain ranges of nar and narayan is the holiest of four main
shrines, badrinath, along the left bank of river alakanda. With splendid
neelkanth mountains as the backdrop, it is an important destination ont he
sacred itinerary of every devote hindu. The temple of shri badrinathji on
the banks of alaknanda river, dates back to the vedic times. Situated at an
altitude of 3133 mts., the present temple is belived to have been built by
adi guru shankaracharya- an 8th century philosopher saint, who also
established a ‘math’ here.
